One of the global targets of WHO’s End TB Strategy is that no TB patients and their households face catastrophic costs as a result of TB disease. This book provides comprehensive documentation about 20 national surveys of costs faced by TB patients and their households that were completed between 2015 and 2021, according to WHO-recommended methods. Results include estimates of the proportion of TB patients and their households facing catastrophic costs, as well as a wealth of other data. It is hoped that the book will serve as a key reference for ministries of health and other government agencies, and their national and international partners, as they work towards reducing costs faced by TB patients and their households. The book was a collaborative effort of the 20 countries in which surveys were done and their technical partners, with contributions from more than 300 people.

The World Health Organization, through its Global Tuberculosis (TB) Programme, leads and guides the global effort to end the TB epidemic through universal access to people-centred prevention and care, multisectoral action and innovation. Each year, since 1997, the WHO Global TB Report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of the progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels. This is done in the context of global TB commitments, strategies and targets. The 2021 edition of the report has been produced in a new and more web-centric format. This is designed to make the content available in smaller (more “bite-sized”) chunks that are easier to read, digest, navigate and use. The short and slim report PDF, with 30 pages of main content and six short annexes, is accompanied by expanded and more detailed digital content on web pages. This document is a compilation of these web pages and should be read in conjunction with the main report.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.

There have been calls to revisit the experiences of TB screening campaigns that were widely applied in Europe and North America in the mid-20th century, as well as more recent experiences with TB screening in countries with a high burden of the disease, and to assess their possible relevance for TB care and prevention in the 21st century. In response, WHO has developed guidelines on screening for active TB. An extensive review of the evidence has been undertaken. The review suggests that screening, if done in the right way and targeting the right people, may reduce suffering and death, but the review also highlights several reasons to be cautious. As discussed in detail in this book, there is a need to balance potential benefits against the risks and costs of screening; this conclusion is mirrored by the history of TB screening. This publication presents the first comprehensive assessment by WHO of the appropriateness of screening for active TB since the recommendations made in 1974 by the Expert Committee. However, the relative effectiveness and cost effectiveness of screening remain uncertain, a point that is underscored by the systematic reviews presented in this guideline. Evidence suggests that some risk groups should always be screened, whereas the prioritization of other risk groups as well as the choice of screening approach depend on the epidemiology, the health-system context, and the resources available. This book sets out basic principles for prioritizing risk groups and choosing a screening approach; it also emphasizes the importance of assessing the epidemiological situation, adapting approaches to local situations, integrating TB screening into other health-promotion activities, minimizing the risk of harm to individuals, and engaging in continual monitoring and evaluation. It calls for more and better research to assess the impact of screening and to develop and evaluate new screening tests and approaches.

The WHO Global tuberculosis report 2024 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels. This is done in the context of global TB commitments, strategies and targets. The 2024 edition of the report is based primarily on data gathered by WHO from national ministries of health in annual rounds of data collection. In 2024, 193 countries and areas (out of 215) with more than 99% of the world’s population and TB cases reported data. Please note that direct comparisons between estimates of TB disease burden in the latest report and previous reports are not appropriate. The most recent time-series of estimates are published in this global TB report. Global TB reports from previous years can be found here.